The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has successfully dismantled a cargo theft ring, recovering nearly $4 million in stolen merchandise, including Bitcoin mining equipment priced at $2.7 million. The operation was traced back to a warehouse located in San Pedro, California.
Authorities announced that detectives from the LAPD’s Commercial Crimes Division Cargo Theft Unit (CTU) apprehended two individuals last week as part of a collaborative investigation. This effort involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Los Angeles Port Police, Union Pacific Police Department, and the Los Angeles World Airport Police.
Two Apprehended in $4 Million Cargo Theft Scheme Linked to Bitcoin Miners
The arrested suspects have been identified as 41-year-old Oscar David Borrero-Manchola and 25-year-old Yonaiker Rafael Martinez-Ramos. They are reportedly linked to the South American Theft Group (SATG), a network infamous for executing high-value cargo thefts in the area.
The investigation led officers to several storage units in the San Fernando Valley, where they recovered more than $1.2 million worth of stolen items, including premium consumer goods such as tequila, electronic speakers, coffee, clothing, and pet food.
LAPD NEWS: NR25080dc @LAPD_CCD Cargo Theft Unit Arrests Two Suspects and Recover Over $3,900,000 in Stolen Property pic.twitter.com/DfRI07HJQn
— LAPD PIO (@LAPDPIO) April 23, 2025
Notably, the largest single recovery was of Bitcoin mining computers, specialized hardware designed to validate blockchain transactions and generate cryptocurrency. This significant shipment, valued at $2.7 million, was intercepted at Los Angeles International Airport just before it was scheduled for transport to Hong Kong.
Borrero-Manchola has been booked at Van Nuys Jail on charges of receiving stolen property but was later cited and released. Conversely, Martinez-Ramos was taken into custody on a no-bail warrant and remains incarcerated.
Authorities are actively pursuing the investigation, and additional arrests are anticipated. They are also appealing to the public for any information that could aid the inquiry, encouraging individuals to come forward with tips concerning stolen cargo or suspicious activities involving freight.
This recovery represents one of the most significant hauls of stolen Bitcoin mining equipment in recent history, underscoring the growing convergence of digital assets and physical thefts in logistics.
Crypto-Related Crimes Broaden as Complex Scams Rise in 2024
The LAPD’s seizure of $2.7 million in stolen Bitcoin miners highlights a burgeoning trend in crypto-related crime that has intensified throughout 2024.
Following the arrest of 26-year-old Bryan Thola on July 1, who was caught with stolen ASIC mining equipment in a Canyon Country storage unit, officials have noted a concerning pattern. While physical thefts remain an issue, as illustrated by a significant March case involving $6.9 million in stolen equipment, cybercriminals are increasingly implementing sophisticated digital con schemes.
The California Department of Justice has revealed efforts to shut down 42 fraudulent crypto websites across the state in 2024. These sites collectively scammed victims out of approximately $6.5 million, with individual losses exceeding $140,000.
These fraudulent operations deceived users with implausible promises and enticing offers while lacking any legitimate presence in the cryptocurrency field.
Amid these incidents, security firms like Cyvers have flagged “pig butchering” scams as a major threat, with losses to the industry accumulating to over $5.5 billion last year alone.
Furthermore, data from CertiK indicates that phishing attacks accounted for another $1 billion in losses across nearly 300 incidents, marking phishing as the primary risk within the crypto landscape for 2024.
According to Chainalysis’ 2025 Crypto Crime Report, illicit activities within the cryptocurrency sector escalated to $51 billion last year, as organized cybercrime groups employed advanced laundering techniques involving stablecoins, DeFi platforms, and AI-driven deceptions.
While ransomware payments saw a decline of 35% year-over-year, analysts caution that the shift toward stablecoins and privacy coins like Monero suggests more intricate laundering strategies are emerging, rather than a reduction in criminal activity.
The LAPD’s recovery of $2.7 million worth of Bitcoin mining apparatus underscores the rising danger of organized crime targeting both physical and digital assets, highlighting the urgent need for law enforcement collaboration to protect supply chains and cryptocurrency infrastructure.
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